Rain Dance

I hope this type of rain dance will work. I measured an 1/4" of rain this last week. My yard is brown and crunchy, but the toe jerks are growing rapidly.

This picture was taken on a country road down by Montauk.

Visit to Alley Springs

Yesterday my Cousin Shelby and my friends Tyler and Carter visited Alley Springs near Eminence, Mo. We had a wonderful time visiting the spring and at Twin Pine CEC near Winona, Mo.

The area was named after a prominent local family named Alley that lived in the area. The first mill was built in 1868. The mill that is still standing today was built 1893-1894,by George Washington McCaskill, as a merchant mill.

Also at Alley Springs is the old Story Schoolhouse. The school was built in 1903 and had an enrollment of 42 students.

The spring spills 81 million gallons a water a day into the Current/Jacks Fork River.

Here the kids are discussing and looking at the water.

Tyler and Carter are getting ready to go thru an hole.

Here is Carter posing for me.

Visit to Twin Pine Conservation Education Center

Today, my cousin Shelby and my friends Tyler and Carter went with me to Wionna, Mo where Twin Pine CEC is located. It was built in 2008 and the Conservation Department runs the center. The center is very nice. There are 3 levels in the building. On display were animal skins(elk,bison,fox,mountain lion) to mention a few. Stuffed animals were (mountain lion,beaver,otter,deer,black bear) to mention a few. Also on view were snakes and they were alive (copperhead,Pygmy rattlesnake,diamondback rattlesnake). Stuffed owls and a hornets nest were also in the building. The 3rd level of the center can be used for meetings. There was free handout literature as well as books to buy. Outside the center they have planted native wildflowers,trees and shrubs. The Vann schoolhouse (1 room) was moved to the grounds beside the center. The school was used from 1911-1956. The school was located 4 miles from Wionna.

Here are Shelby, Tyler and Carter inside the school

There was and 1840 furnished log cabin on the grounds.

Beside the log cabin was a 1925 Ford Model TT truck. It was used to haul logs and wood. The Model TT is from the Wionna area.

While we were there the boys got to fish in a 2 acre lake. The poles and bait were supplied by the Conservation Department.

Unfortunately nothing was caught.

An 1946 Chevy panel van used by the Conservation Department was on display.

Lastley a few pics of the stuffed animals inside.

We all had a great time.

Missouri's Wild Clematis

Went out wildflower hunting with my Mom and Aunt yesterday. We had a great time. We visited old places we hadn't been to in years. One spot was by the Roubidoux River. There I noticed 2 wild clematis' that I had never seen. I will show pictures of 3 different varieties. I believe there are 6 different varieties.

This is Pale Leatherwood.

This is Pitcher's LeatherwoodThis is Virginia Bower Clematis

Lot's and Lots of Rain.

I believe it has rained 5 out of 7 days this week. Wished I was able to save some of this water for July and August.

This is a picture of Multiflora Rose.

It has a beautiful bloom, but is an aggressive thug.

4th Grade Field Trip

Today I went on a school field trip with my friend's son Carter. The trip was to Beaver Creek Paylake near Manes, Mo. It is 3 acre man made lake stocked with channel catfish. The lake is about an hour from the school. The school too all 3 4th grade classes (about 70 kids). All of the kids seemed to enjoy themselves. Some kids had fished before and some hadn't, some there didn't like to touch the worm on the hook, but yelled and screamed when they caught a fish. The kids had a limit of 3 catfish and most caught that amount. The school paid for the kids meal and the owners of the lake gave the kids a free snow cone (that was a big hit).

Carter caught 3 nice catfish and I caught 2. Carter and I had a great time. This is Carter with one of his catches of the today.

Went fishing last night

My friend and I went fishing after we got off work yesterday. Her 2 boys Tyler and Carter came along with us, plus their dog Red (a min pin). We caught about 7 largemouth bass. Here is a pic of Tyler and his nice largemouth bass.